Neuropathology results

I got my mark from from the neuropath practical. Alpha minus. I don't know what percentage that correlates to, but it mustn't be too high, as the mean mark this year was still poor. It's a bit of a bummer because I should have known my stuff better, seeing as I'm the only guy in class working for Step 1, but it could have been quite a bit worse. It still feels worrying that our path is so bad though. At this stage, I don't think I'd be able to do much good to patients. A couple of years to rectify that though. On that note, I'd better get back to work.

Moc

Listen up, readers

I bought a new CD player last week. It's quite good and can also play mp3 and wma files. It means that I can now and can now listen to music and Dr Goljan's pathology lectures on the move. I started from the beginning again with cell injury on the way to College yesterday morning.

Pathology? I'm pickled

Ouch, last week's neuropathology exam was hard. Really hard! I'd spent the past week revising but three minutes per specimen wasn't enough and I think I haven't done very well. The only positive I can take is that last year the mean mark was very low. I'm still coughing badly, and my throat feels really inflamed. I went to see my general practitioner this morning, and he thinks it could be post-viral. Apparently it can last another month. Hope you're all well.

Moc

Much better

Thanks a lot for your wishes! I'm feeling much better today. Still have a sore throat and a runny nose, but could concentrate during all my lectures today. Yesterday I was feeling so rotten that I actually fell asleep during a lecture on treatment strategies for Parkinson's disease. So today I'm planning on catching up, and am studying with a friend in the library. There's a whole stack of journal papers I need to read about prion diseases and taupathies, but it's interesting stuff and I'm enjoying it. I'd better get back to it now though, if I want to finish it by tonight. Have a great and productive weekend, team. Keep at it.

Moc

The tsunami

Oh, one more thing. While we were in the mountains we didn't have a television or access to the Internet and only found out about the tragedy in Asia in the new year. My thoughts and prayers and with all the people who have lost friends, family and their livelihoods.

Moc

Recovery and revision

Hello

I'm back from Poland, and now the crazy revision period begins. I don't feel too good though. The lack of studying whilst I was away whacked up my cortisol levels, and because I was also inadequately dressed in the mountains, I developed a productive cough, and am now down with the flu. Arrgh! In fact, at one point I was delirious and the shivering, cough and cold got so bad that my friends thought I should stay at home all day till I recovered a little. Hopefully will be fully energised in a couple of days though. We have a neuroanatomy and histology exam in two weeks so I be revising those again. Also, I still haven't finished working through High Yield Biostatistics, so I'll be spending all my travelling time on that.

Hope you're well,
Moc

Winter wonderland

On the slopes of Zakopane, the winter capital of Poland.
Top row: Agnieska, Gracjan’s sister, Kris, Kamila and me
Bottom row: Gracjan, Gilles and Radek

Happy New Year

We went onto the slopes of Bialka for the countdown to the New Year, then returned to the chalet for a big party. I don’t know where I’d disappeared to though. I was in a bit of a happy daze all day.

Anyway, I wish you all a very happy and fulfilling year. I’ve been thinking a lot about what I’d like to do and achieve this year and have made quite a few resolutions, which I’ll post soon. They’re mainly academic and not very interesting but I do want to try some new things. I’d really like to give gliding and climbing a go. I guess that will have to wait till after the new academic year though. Yikes, that’s over nine months away!

Let me know of any resolutions you’ve made if you feel comfortable.

Peace,
Moc